For all of
you who knew Bobby Brinkley - he lived in East End in the 1400
block of 24th Street right next to Salter's Creek - you can go
here to read his obituary. I am sure Ned Parrish knew him. He
graduated in the NNHS class of 1955.

Bobby and I
were great friends in our youth and we played in the marshes
around his house during the summer for many hours each day.

For those of you
who may recall (it was a long time ago) one of Bobby's sons
(Howell Keith Brinkley) died in a freak accident when he was
very young. He inadvertently hit the automatic "UP" control on
the back window of his dad's station wagon (I believe it was)
with his head out the window. The window came up and
choked Bobby's son to death before he was found. A very tragic
accident that left Bobby in mourning for many years. Some say
Bobby was never the same easy going person he was before that
accident.

Rest in eternal
peace, my friend.

Jack

What a tragic story!
Thank you so much for sharing this, Jack. You have my deepest
sympathies on the loss of your friend.

Fromthe Daily Press - 06/17/11:

Vernon Robert Brinkley

NEWPORT NEWS -
Vernon Robert Brinkley, 74, died June 13, 2011. He was a resident of Newport
News for most of his life and was a lifelong member of Orcutt Baptist Church.

He was born July 9, 1936, to Vernon and Frances Brinkley. He graduated from
Newport News High School in 1955. Upon graduation he entered into active duty
with the United States Marine Corps and served until September 1958. He worked
in Richmond, Va., for several years before returning to Newport News to
eventually work in the printing industry. In 1969, he opened Graphic Color
Litho, Inc, which he owned and operated until his retirement in 2000.

Bobby Brinkley

He was preceded in death by his
parents; his two sisters, Frances Warren and Dorothy Hudson; and his son, Howell
Keith Brinkley.

Survivors include his wife of 48
years, Kay Lacy Brinkley; his son, Robert Greg Brinkley and his wife, Cynthia;
and his grandson, Robert Keith Brinkley.

He loved the water and spent many happy hours boating, fishing, and water skiing
with family and friends. Among his greatest joys was getting together with his
many friends since grade school and recounting "war stories" from the good ole
days. His new favorite role was that of being GaPapa to his grandson Keith with
whom he spent hours designing and building train tracks in the most unlikely
places throughout the house.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 17, at
Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, Va. A funeral service
will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 18, at the funeral home.

Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and post condolences
on our online guestbook at
dailypress.com/guestbooks.

I have fond
memories of Vernon from the our days at Newport News High
School. He was two years ahead of me, but I knew him though
his friendship with my brother who was also a class of '55
grad. My sincere condolences go out to you, his family
during this time of grief.

I enjoyed having
Vernon as a classmate at NNHS. He was one of the first to
welcome me when I transferred from Wythe. My wife Laura also
remembers him fondly from his attendance at reunions and the
class brunches of recent years.

~ Michael & Laura Garrick,
Getzville, New York

June 17,
2011

I remember Vernon
fondly from our years in NNHS, as one of the 'good' tough
guys; one of the ones you always wanted on your side, so it
was no surprise to find that he went into the US Marines.
Deep sympathy to Kay and all of his many friends.

Sincere
condolences are extended to Bob's family, Kay and Greg and
his family. Bob will be missed puttering in his garden and
taking meticulous care of his beautiful lawn. After 20 years
as his neighbor, we sincerely regret not getting to know him
better. May you rest in peace Bob and we hope to see you on
the other side.

Dick and Myra Adams

~ Dick
Adams,
Newport News, Virginia

June 17,
2011

To the family of
Vernon Brinkley. I knew Vernon from our days in high school
and I will always remember the positive influence his
presence had on those around him.
May God give you peace and comfort during this time of
sorrow. I know Vernon will be missed by many.

To the Brinkley family: I, too,
have happy memories of Vernon.
His smile and positive attitude
lit up a room. He'll be greatly
missed.
Joan Lenhart Burgett, NNHS Class
of '55

~ Joan Burgett, Ithaca, New
York

June 17,
2011

My most vivid memory of
Vernon was playing baseball with him on the NNHS team in 1955.
Although the team didn't do well, Brinkley was a outstanding good
third baseman. I can still remember him spearing a line drive off
the bat of Sammy McIntyre of the hated "Crabbers". My thoughts and
prayers go out to his family. May his soul rest in peace.

~ Don Cox, Columbia, Maryland

June 17,
2011

To The Family of our
friend, Vernon:

Precious memories. Oh how sweet. Vernon has run his race and
achieved his goal before a lot of his friends. I'm sure he is
waiting at the gates of Heaven to greet all of us in due time. We
weep not only for Vernon but for ourselves, for we shall miss him,
but not for too long. Even though I am hundreds of miles away and
our contacts few over the years, he was a cherished friend from the
"good old days" of NNHS, class of '55. God bless all who mourn.

~ Lawrence Moss, Powder Springs, Georgia

June 17,
2011

At this time of sorrow, please note that the Bible states "the God
who supplies endurance and comfort" is there for us. (Romans 15:5)
~ Lillian Foster, Hampton, Virginia

June 17,
2011

Dear family of Vernon
Brinkley,
I was sad to learn of Vernon's passing. I have known him since
grammar school and high school. He was a good person and I wanted to
send my condolences to you. May he rest in peace.

~ Mickey Marcella

June 17,
2011

Good
all around buddy, Best at NN high. Vernon will be missed.

~ Chuck Shipp

June 17,
2011

We have fond memories of
Vernon from NNHS and old east end. Our condolences to the Brinkley
family.

Bruce and Charlotte Horton Sims

~ Charlotte & Bruce Sims, Gloucester, Virginia

June 19,
2011

Our condolences to Greg
and the Brinkley family. Jarrod Upton family

~ Jarrod Upton, Newport News, Virginia

June 20,
2011

A wonderful person, we
lived far away, but I really enjoyed all of our visits together. He was
a very caring person, and I will miss him. My sympathy to the family.

~ Jim Horton Class of 1955

June 22,
2011

D

Our deepest sympathies
are extended to the Brinkley family and their friends at this difficult
time.

Glad your Internet Service Provider has you up and running again, but
the first email received from your new Fayetteville location was very
sad. Thanks for passing along the news of the passing of Bobby Brinkley,
Class of 1955. For those TYPHOON who knew Bob, let me share some of the
three years he spent in the USMC.

Corporal Brinkley was the Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge of Gate 15,
Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VA.
It was my pleasure to serve with Bob, as the Vehicular Gate Sentry. He
was kind and generous, letting me ride to Newport News with him on
weekend liberty, until his Honorable Discharge from the Marine Corps.

I can still remember he was getting ready to study at Old Dominion
University as his time in the Corps was coming to a close. He had served
on Sea Duty in the Marine Corps, and was a Plank Owner for the USS
Saratoga (CV-60) when she was commissioned at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in
New York.

Following that tour, he was assigned to the Marine Detachment, USS Leyte
(CV-32) and upon completion of that tour he was assigned to the Marine
Security Guard Company, Naval Ammunition Depot, St. Julians Creek.

When the Marine Barracks at St. Julians Creek was closed, he was
transferred to Marine Barracks, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VA
for his "Sunset Tour" awaiting discharge from Active Duty.

Vernon was a high energy person, and was in the process of designing a
tooth brush with tooth paste in the handle for the traveler and had
hopes of getting a patent as he completed his tour. He had played
football as a TYPHOON, so he was drafted to play football in the Marine
Corps at Parris Island and later at Marine Barracks.

The tragic way he lost his son devastated him for many years. Rest In
Peace, Marine.